Fraser Coast council approves major retail development in Hervey Bay

More than 600 retail jobs will be created when a new shopping complex in one of the last remaining blocks of vacant land in the Hervey Bay CBD is developed.

A new $60 million development has been approved for Hervey Bay and with the tick of approval comes a promise of more than 600 retail jobs.

Approval was given to the Spotlight Property Group (SPG Developments) to develop a new shopping complex on the 2.997ha vacant block at 200 Boat Harbour Drive, between Hunter and Taylor Streets at a special council meeting on Wednesday.

The development was approved unanimously but not without concerns regarding traffic to the site and proximity to housing areas flagged.

Councillor Zane O’Keefe questioned whether the finished project would appropriate accessibility and was concerned about increased traffic to the site.

Principal planner for RPS Groups Asia Stephen Mason said the development had planned for pedestrian access with the plans for raised pedestrian areas to cater for wheelchair users and people using mobility scooters.

Councillor David Lee was in favour of the development which he said would generate a lot of interest in Hervey Bay but stressed it was important to upgrade roads around the site and work with the community.

He noted the development was to be built near low-density housing and questioned the community engagement strategy with an emphasis sooner rather than later.

SPG Developer David Tuckett said the developers would address concerns with neighbours via restricted loading times and reducing light coming from the development when it was complete.

Councillor Denis Chapman supported the development with an upgrade of Hunter Street and said the finished project would create 630 jobs in retail and 400 jobs in construction, keeping people in the region and encouraging other developers to invest.

Councillor Daniel Sanderson supported the project and believed it would provide hope to younger people on the jobs front.

The site of the new shopping centre development was bought by Bunnings several years ago.

It was originally thought to be the site of the new Bunnings but instead, the hardware giant settled on building its new mega store on the block behind the existing store.

The vacant land behind the current Hervey Bay Bunnings store. Photo: Stuart Fast

Construction on the new Bunnings site at the corner of McLiver and Main Streets is already underway.

The development approval is good news for Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Holebrook who said the new employment opportunities would benefit people of all ages.

“I’m always thrilled when we look at becoming bigger and better in retail development and offer more products and services to the community,” she said.

“Retail for me is a really great entry level employment area and with our high youth unemployment, the more we have entry level work the better.

“We’ve also got an ageing population as well and they might not want full time work, enjoy the hours offered in shifts or over the weekend.”

Ms Holebrook hoped to see new stores which offered residents more shopping choices.

“I hope this goes ahead at some pace,” she said.

The development is expected to be complete by late November, 2022.